Mintlaw pupils learn of career opportunities

An Oil and Gas Senior Consultant who became The Association of Scottish Businesswomen’s Judges Choice Businesswoman of the Year 2013, visited Mintlaw Academy recently.

Elaine Duthie gave a series of talks to 4th, 5th and 6th year pupils, giving them an insight to the potential career paths within the oil and gas industry.

Elaine introduced them to role models working in the energy sector, who each entered by a different route; from an apprenticeship and a traineeship after leaving school, to earning a college certificate and university degree, to acquiring the right experience over time.

The general consensus amongst the audience was summed up by one pupil who said: “I found that you don’t need to go to university to get a good job and there are many things to do onshore that I did not know about.”

Part of the sessions included a workshop exercise which proved a great success by informing pupils that they already have many of the skills employers look for.

Groups competed in a task to match job titles with their descriptions and required qualifications. One pupil commented on the workshop exercise: “The matching up really made me realise what you can do and what you need to do it.”

Genesis Oil and Gas Consultants donated the prizes awarded to the teams with the most matches in each session.

Elaine commented: “There is so much talent in the north-east of Scotland, these pupils are the future and could potentially help fill the skills gap within the oil and gas industry.”

The school has invited Elaine to return and provide them with further support as deputy rector, Sharon Noble, said: “It was a great success”.